A Graduation Gift Buying Adventure at SM Megamall | SM Supermalls

Shops, Shops, Shops Everywhere!

One of the great things I love about SM Megamall is its vast array of shops to cater to all of my needs. When looking for the next fashion apparel to add to my wardrobe, I never run out of clothing shops to visit. Stores like H&M, Zara, Mango, Forever 21, and Pull&Bear are just within my reach. It was no wonder that clothing shops were my first stop as soon as I arrived at the mall. 

Clothes are one of the safest and most affordable bets when it comes to gift giving. I can never go wrong with a cute statement shirt that can be worn at any time or a cool jacket that can complement any attire. My problem, however, was that my fashion style and my sister’s were like night and day. Good thing, though, that I remembered her mentioning how cold it could get in their classroom and that she had meant to buy a new sweater, but never got around to it. Being a good sister, I set out to buy the sweater and save her the hassle. 

It took me dropping by a few shops before I found a really chic red sweater at H&M that was both affordable and warm to wear. However, after thinking it over, I realized that a sweater was way too simple for a graduation gift and is more like a present you would give on a birthday or for a Christmas gift.      

I put the sweater back on the rack and decided to take a quick break from gift hunting. I thought grabbing a bite might be a good idea before setting out again to find a gift, so I searched for a nice place to eat. 

But First, Food!

There were so many excellent restaurants and coffee shops at SM Megamall that I found it more challenging than gift buying. To be honest, I dwelled on this dilemma longer than my earlier sweater hunt!                

I was craving Japanese food, and there were Yabu, Ippudo, Yayoi, and Ooma where I could get that satisfying, high-quality East Asian taste that I love. But Mexican also seemed appetizing at that time, and I heard Gringo, El Pollo Loco, and Chili’s all serve signature tacos, quesadillas, and burritos that are definitely to die for. 

In the end, I decided to go for Western food and headed to Pound by Todd English in Mega Fashion Hall. I was overwhelmed by their extensive menu, which boasted delicious Italian and American dishes like pizza, pasta, burgers, and sliders. I was also surprised to see that their food offerings were quite affordable, which I completely wasn’t expecting considering the fine dining ambiance and the elegant interior design. 

That was my first time at the Pound, and I could not pass up the chance to try their signature dishes. I ordered their famous Pound Burger and a serving of their Pizza Poutine, a plate of well-seasoned fries topped with tomato sauce, herbs, and parmesan cheese. It was surely a filling meal! Though the burger was smaller than I was expecting, their Poutine was something I would definitely order again. 

After demolishing my burger and fries, I then went out to find the best dessert to complete my dinner. And seriously, who does not want dessert? Not me, for sure! 

So after stopping by Dairy Queen to see if I was up for some ice cream, I turned back and headed to Ben’s Cookies for a chocolate chip. But I then changed my mind at the last minute and went to Brownies Unlimited, only to end up getting a cup of frozen yogurt at Llaollao instead. The sweet, yet tart flavor of the yogurt was a sweet finish to my savory dinner, and I was extremely delighted that I made the right dessert choice!

Back to Gift Hunting

Satisfied and so full I felt like my stomach was about to burst with the slightest move, I went back to my mission of finding the best graduation gift ever (or something close to it) with renewed energy. 

The great food might have helped me think more clearly because just as I left Llaollao, I suddenly realized the one thing my sister is completely obsessed with: K-Pop. I knew even the sight of anything K-Pop could instantly perk her up, so why didn’t I think of this any sooner? There are many flagship Korean beauty shops at SM Megamall that have world-famous K-Pop idols as endorsers, like Innisfree, A’pieu, The Face Shop, Etude House, Laneige, and Nature Republic. Had I remembered about her obsession with K-Pop, I would have headed to these stores the moment I stepped foot into the mall!

It was also from my sister that I discovered all of these cosmetic brands and their popular products which are made with ingredients that I never would have imagined  actually putting on my face, such as snail slime moisturizers and pig collagen masks. But who could blame her really? Whenever I see all these Korean models with their glass skin and poreless faces, it makes me want to buy whatever they’re selling! Knowing my sister would be thrilled with anything Korean, I chose to buy a few lip tints from Etude House and a skin care set from Innisfree. 

The Perfect Gift (Finally!)

I knew I would end up sharing these cosmetic products with my sister, so I somehow felt that these were not the graduation gift I was aiming for. I am nothing but practical when it comes to choosing gifts for my loved ones. My goal every time I buy presents is to look for something personal that can be used for the long haul. 

So after a long deliberation and reaching a point where I almost gave up, I finally decided to buy my sister a new pair of rubber shoes that she could confidently wear at the university or out with friends. Besides, she has been dropping hints here and there on how cool the new Skechers D’Lites are (nicely played, sis). With my mind made up, I headed to SM Department Store to check my options–not to mention, I might also encounter superb items on sale!

As it turned out, the D’Lites she wanted were at 10% off! It might not have been a huge discount, but it was still a great deal, right? It also did not hurt that my sister and I have the same shoe size, making it easier for me to find the right fit for her. Since the department store also offers gift wrapping, I figured I would not have to bother going to the nearest bookstore to buy an attractive paper bag. 

It was a good few hours of visiting shop by shop, looking for a suitable graduation gift before I finally found the perfect item. It was both exciting and tiring, but I am so happy with what I ended up getting and I know it would make my sister ecstatic.

Shopping at SM Supermalls was definitely the best route for me. Not only was I able to find several options from the hundreds of shops they have available, but I was also able to buy a premium item at a discount! I was also not worried about getting exhausted or my feet hurting from walking around, because I knew I could always take a break and stop by any of the restaurants, coffee shops, and food stalls dotting every corner of every floor at SM.

At the end of the day, I realized that it does not really matter whether I am buying an expensive or affordable gift for my sister’s graduation. As long as I am giving her something I know she will love and treasure, then even a simple gift is more than enough. 

My sister’s graduation day is just around the corner, and I cannot wait to give her my present. I wonder if I should wait before or after the ceremony? Maybe I should invite her and the entire family to Pound by Todd English for a special celebration? Now that would be a filling and flavorful feast!